Very cool overall. I love the ethereal soundscape nature of it, and it’s crazy how popular this has gotten both given its style and also only through word of mouth. It’s definitely not a regular rotation album but it is very good.
Some Might Say - this is Oasis’ best album This album is quintessentially Oasis. Everything is awash in that gritty rock sound without getting so muddy that you can’t pick out identify anything. The songs that take a bit of a step back from that still feel Oasis thanks to Liam and Noel’s very distinct singing styles, and I think the album flows well between the very driving crunchy songs and the more relaxed consumer friendly tracks. I don’t know if anything about them is really reinventing any wheels, but they just have a certain energy to them that draws me to them. It really is music for people who romanticize smoking cigs, and that’s rock and roll. Favorite - She’s Electric
You Want It Darker - I’ll show you darker! I’ve never really listened to Leonard Cohen much but boy have I been missing out. The album explores all the usual themes of a man at the end of his life, reflecting on it with these dark and religious undertones and feelings that comes easy with Cohens baritone, and help solidify that grizzled old man aesthetic of the album. Motifs and themes pop back up through the album which is a nice touch and helps unify the album. The backing tracks are simple, and normally I May hold it against a lesser album but here it really helps thematically with that twilight years feel, and it’s exacerbated by the fact that Cohen died not long after this. Favorite - You Want It Darker
Tuesdays Gone - and so are my hopes of becoming a Skynhead The mixing is immaculate. I’m glad the whole album wasn’t free bird, and the more reserved bluesy tracks that weren’t the popular hits were a welcome relief, and were even good. But the songs are so long and don’t do anything interesting enough to hold my attention, and I just don’t care for them anymore than I did before Best - Mississippi Kid Worst - Free Bird
This is the Wayei A rich bluesy folk album. It gives off a feeling that these are elevated versions of their native songs. Some of the riffs give of a bit of Home Depot energy, at least on first listen, but at no point did this feel like a chore to get through. It ramps up and dips down comfortably throughout. And when it ramps up, it sends it, and when it dips down, it’s very reserved and lets the feelings through. While I may need to pick a worst, none of them felt particularly worse than any other Best - Nick Worst - Wayei
Can I Kick It? - yes, to the curb I’ve always dismissed these guys based solely on name and I was punished for that with many cringey self references reminding me of the questers. The fourth wall breaks throughout felt forced and may be better suited to a live performance, and I can’t say I particularly enjoyed the tone of the sample drums used. Bearing in mind this was a first of its kind and groundbreaking album both for ATCQ and hip hop in general, they made some fun choices using unique, weird, and surprising samples, but I wish they leaned into that more. This isn’t to say the whole album was terrible to listen to. I genuinely enjoyed tracks like El Segundo and Ham n Eggs. But as a whole, the album has a lot of potential I would hope is expanded upon in the future. Best - I Left My Wallet In El Segundo Worst - Push It Along
I’d Rather Be High - than listen to this whole album again It takes until Where Are We Now to really get going in a way that I like and that feels like Bowie. Those first few songs feel too generically classic rock. But from then on, it is an enjoyable album. And it may not be doing anything new, but I think that’s okay, and part of the beauty of it. I don’t need Bowie to do anything other than make Bowie music. And I think given this came out after a long hiatus, that that was important for his fans. He even sort of addresses this in the first song, saying he’s not dead. Not only is he actually not dead, the idea of him and his style are not dead either. Best - How Does The Grass Grow? Worst - Dirty Boys
No No No - more like yes yes yes This is the kind of indie, punk, alt, a little sexy type music that really gets me going. This album in particular really reminds me Pinkshift, but the stuff I was familiar with before this reminds me more of Metric or Momma (the former makes a lot of sense since the 2 bands roomed together during their formations), and those slightly more reserved songs are the ones I felt a bit more drawn to. Tonally this album does everything right - the whiny guitar, a smooth rounded bass, some classic rock drums, and the added synth effects combined with Karen’s ranging style really make for an excellent album. Mix wise, none of the instruments really get in the way of one another, and though it may be rocking and rolling it’s never overwhelming or uninteresting. Best - Maps Worst - Tick
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: A Pretty middling album This album is just okay. Nothing about it is bad, but I don’t find it particularly interesting either. I think it captures what it’s going for quite well, and using the track titles to tell the story is pretty neat. But I generally don’t find my attention being grasped in any meaningful way, and there are other instrumentals I would sooner put on before this. Good on him for making something he’s passionate about though. Best - The Man With The Golden Arm Worst - On The Wrong Side of Relaxation
If I Was With A Woman - I’d show them this album This is unapologetically British. And it would not work otherwise. It’s funny, horny, crass at times, and just all around the cliche punk Londoner. And while those traits may be off putting to some, it isn’t hard to find a layer of genuine emotion underneath and relatable feelings under all that, even if they are presented with a sheet of sarcasm and nihilism at times. It also just slaps musically. Perhaps not the strongest start, but he really gets things going and by the end you could probably convince me that some of them were performed by The Clash. Best - My Old Man Worst - Wake Up and Make Love To Me
Damn - this is pretty good It grew on me as the album went. It’s kinda fun, good to put on in the background but I don’t think I’d listen to it otherwise. I’m open to it though. I listened to some of the French version and now that I couldn’t understand the words I actually enjoyed it as fun background music even more Best - Doesn’t Matter Worst - Girlfriend
Dont’t Know Why - this album is a must listen This is the music Alexa plays when you ask for Sunday morning music. Norah has an undeniably beautiful voice but all of it sort of melds together, doesn’t go anywhere I find particularly interesting, and generally makes me a bit sleepy. Best - I’ve Got To See You Again Worst - Seven Years I wish I could do half stars
This was pretty good. It starts off that same British electronic that gives off Thompson Twins vibes. Repetitive instrumentals and a dry vocal line. If you like that of thing you’ll definitely like this. I can’t say it’s my favorite, but it did hold my interest long enough to make it to make it to when this album takes a darker turn. This album would possibly be 5 stars if the whole thing had that moodiness of Behind the Wheel, I Want You Now, and To Have and To Hold Pimpf in particular has no place on this album but boy were they cooking. Best - Pimpf Worst - Sacred
Very cool overall. I love the ethereal soundscape nature of it, and it’s crazy how popular this has gotten both given its style and also only through word of mouth. It’s definitely not a regular rotation album but it is very good.
Beautiful album. It definitely suffers a little bit from mainstreamism but when those songs are viewed with the whole it tells this very emotional story. Adele really did a lot with a little here.
When it said Scottish artist schooled in London I thought I was in for another generic Brit rock album but this was so cool, not at all what I was expecting. The reggae mixed with the electronics was totally unique and it’s clear why this has become so popular for a debit album.
Thank You - to Led Zeppelin for being much cooler than I thought Much like Lynyrd Skynyrd I was pretty dismissive of these guys but album is way cooler than I thought. A few kind of generic songs, but they have some good range I think they could push further. I want more of those experimental noisy bits incorporated through their usual songs! Best - Thank You Worst - Whole Lotta Love
Wake Up - and listen to this Now THIS is an album. There’s a beautiful mix of gritty electrics as a base and cleaner higher parts layered on top of that. The album brings you through highs and lows, and never starts to feel stale. It has this almost cinematic and extra-musical quality to it that reminds me of Stars with a touch of the Black Keys. Favorite - Une Annee Sans Lumiere
Houdini - would not have made an album quite like this. It’s fun! It’s like a very artsy, sometimes a bit too Celtic, broadway show. The high backing vocals really add a lot. I really dig this sort of stuff that’s a little more experimental and weird than normal while still being digestible for your everyday listener. Like a gateway drug. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard something quite like it. Probably not a regular listen album but I could see myself throwing it on at any occasion I’d put on Laurie Anderson. Best - Sat On My Lap
You Left Me Sore - with how long this is Nothing about this warrants how long it is. If I was a fan of his I’m sure id be ecstatic, but I don’t find the album to be anything more than just that 70’s pop sound. It’s about as enjoyable as any Billy Joel record I suppose, not really something I’d ever go out of my way to listen to but I guess I would sing along if the whole crowd was too. Not sure why this is the must listen album of his and not the more experimental stuff the Wikipedia summary mentioned. But I’ll give it an extra star for doing it all himself, I can respect that. Favorite - I Saw The Light
Some Might Say - this is Oasis’ best album This album is quintessentially Oasis. Everything is awash in that gritty rock sound without getting so muddy that you can’t pick out identify anything. The songs that take a bit of a step back from that still feel Oasis thanks to Liam and Noel’s very distinct singing styles, and I think the album flows well between the very driving crunchy songs and the more relaxed consumer friendly tracks. I don’t know if anything about them is really reinventing any wheels, but they just have a certain energy to them that draws me to them. It really is music for people who romanticize smoking cigs, and that’s rock and roll. Favorite - She’s Electric
This is some Funky Shit This is the music that plays during the really hard part of the level from that late 90s childhood video game. I’m not really sure who it’s for, nor do I really see any appeal in listening to this album raw like this. Maybe if I was a little fucked up at a rave or something I could give it a pass for the atmospheric vibe it creates, but it’s just not for me.
Id be surprised if this isn’t in the top on lots and lots of best lounge albums. Amy’s soulful yet forceful voice is a nice juxtaposition over the kind of hip-hop-esque drums found on some of the tracks that I find to be the weakest part of the album. Favorite - Fuck Me Pumps
Phil Spector is apparently responsible for some great versions of well known, and some not well known, holiday classics. I don’t usually listen to any particular Christmas albums but hearing all of them together I can see the through line in Phil’s sound. Very rich and full, vocals very front in the mix. As a producer you can’t deny his influence in music, even if he did kill someone later. That being said, it’s still just a compilation of Christmas songs and I can’t give a Christmas album a 5. The songs are only enjoyable because of Christmas, and if I was rating this any other time of the year I wouldn’t like it nearly as much. But since these are all at least original versions of the songs made for Phil Spector’s album, I’ll give it a 4.
Pusherman - better be pushing this album What a fun album. It’s funky, it’s orchestral, it’s got some dark themes about drugs; what more can you ask for. It also stands on its own without the movie which definitely counts for something. Favorite - Freddie’s Dead
It’s a fun album. Grooving all throughout. The fusioned elements work really together the influences both on the album and that it has had on music are clear. For better or worse we would not have Da Ya Think I’m Sexy without this
You Want It Darker - I’ll show you darker! I’ve never really listened to Leonard Cohen much but boy have I been missing out. The album explores all the usual themes of a man at the end of his life, reflecting on it with these dark and religious undertones and feelings that comes easy with Cohens baritone, and help solidify that grizzled old man aesthetic of the album. Motifs and themes pop back up through the album which is a nice touch and helps unify the album. The backing tracks are simple, and normally I May hold it against a lesser album but here it really helps thematically with that twilight years feel, and it’s exacerbated by the fact that Cohen died not long after this. Favorite - You Want It Darker
Don’t Cry - because it’s over, enjoy that it happened (idk the saying) I really like the vibe of this. The guitars have a sort of classic feel to them, some cool effects going on, and some unique percussion sounds. It’s a sort of album you can get lost in while doing something else that doesn’t draw your attention away too much, only a little. Like driving or doing some chores.
We get it, you like girls. Seriously though this is all classic young handsome 60’s youth. They blend voices nicely, but nothing here is particularly new. Maybe I’m missing something but it didn’t intrigue me enough to go find out what. I suppose if you really like this style then this certainly won’t turn you off from it. Favorite - So How Come
Kudos to Solange for not trying to follow in her very famous sister’s footsteps and forging her own path here It’s generally very reserved, and I like the interludes with other artists. It discusses black culture, feelings, and struggle, but not in an overbearing way (which some would argue is a weakness of the album) but probably makes sense logistically to appeal to a larger audience. Its an album which is pretty good, tho not really my speed and maybe not really intended for me as the audience? I’m not sure. Favorite - Cranes in the Sky
The Clash really got it first try with their sound. It’s no London Calling, but it definitely hits all of the notes of angry cockney guys yelling about somewhat incomprehensibly Idk if it holds up against its modern punk descendants and is really the GREATEST punk album of all time, but boy is it fun and catchy. I also think it’s definitely approachable for people who may not be a punk fan.
Musically - this is okay. I’m not really the biggest fan of this early heavy metal, but I appreciate what it’s led to for current styles of metal. I just wish it was even heavier, but it’s just a lot of riffs and high guitar. Bruce Dickinson has a crazy voice tho. However, this album has a lot of dark and heavy themes it explores, ranging from Native American genocide, to prisoners and rising up against oppressors, to prostitution safe houses, and that’s where this album really shines I feel. And even though stylistically it’s not my favorite, IM really did tie together this whole thing cohesively.
This is perhaps blues in its most peak and natural form, made by the blues for the blues. It’s rockin’, it’s rippin’, it’s rollin’. what more is there to say?
This is pretty alright I guess. It’s kind of got a mix of disco and country which was interesting, but it just seems kind of forgettable overall to me.
I noticed about 2/3 of the way through just how immersive this album actually is. It feels very purely lone cowboy of the west, and as a city slicker who prefers sex drugs and rock and roll, kudos to Nelson that I definitely felt what he was trying to convey. It’s not going to be a repeat album for me, but it was enjoyable to listen through. Nelson shows a mastery of all instruments (and mixing!) and i think he’s made a fan favorite for listeners of folksy western. Favorite - Red Headed Stranger
Just more uninspired and generic classic rock.
I’m glad I didn’t listen to Radiohead as a youth because I don’t think I would be able to appreciate it then as I do now. Albums like this can be hit or miss. It’s more artsy and atmospheric, reminds me of albums like The Terror by The Flaming Lips - dark and moody, weird noises, fun drum rhythms. And fortunately for Radiohead this is one of those albums I fuck with. I get it. I see the vision. No complaints musically, my only gripe is just that I wish there was a few less purely instrumental tracks.
I think I was too harsh on U2 growing up. I never met anyone that liked them so I never really gave them chance, but they’re just a less good The Killers, and as a big Killers fan, that means U2 is still pretty good and I appreciate all the walking they did so Brandon Flowers could run circles around them. As far as the album goes, I don’t think it quite captures and sticks to the America theme it’s going for as strongly as I’d like. I feel like they could’ve kept the album the same and gotten rid of that expectation and I’d like it more, but instead I was set up and let down. The album has some good songs and nice themes but overall I just feel like it’s still a 3, and I can’t really articulate why. However I’m excited to hear more from them in the future
John Lennon and Phil Spector - two bad guys who make good music. John really shines in the more personal/grounded tracks. Having already been familiar with Imagine (which is… overhyped) and Jealous Guy (great song) I found myself going back to Oh My love quite a bit. He really shows a soft and tender side (how ironic) and overall I think this album is a very strong case that John can stand alone the strongest compared to his old bandmates. Having Spector I’m sure helped as well. Overall it’s good, I don’t think it really has any weak points, just points that aren’t as good.
Nothing makes me sadder than seeing today’s album be another 70s classic rock. At least this one was a bit more bluesy so I’ll give it credit there. But it’s another pass.
Hmm. It definitely has a lot of shock factor that it acknowledges and it knows it’s gonna cause a lot of controversy and conversation. I initially thought maybe it was just over the top, but by the time I got to the end I think he’s just shining a light on real feelings people have. And there are points on the album it can get very uncomfortable to listen to, but that’s art. And to diminish the album to just middle school angst and dick jokes does it a disservice. I usually don’t care much for the cultural impact of the albums as much as the music itself, but I do think this album is worth an intentional listen through. At the very least, if you aren’t an Eminem fan because all you’ve heard is Lose Yourself and Real Slim Shady, listen to Stan.
Not that I think it’s the greatest thing in the world but I don’t understand all the seething hate for Morrisey’s singing Stylistically, I think it’s pretty alright. I enjoyed some of it, didn’t hate any of it and I can understand it’s not really for everyone. Really tows a line. I think in other hands these could really be bangers, but ive always liked Last Night I Dreamt, and Paint A Vulgar Picture was pretty catchy.